The Major Thomas Fenner House: An Historic Retreat

We had a fantastic stay at the Fenner home. It was exactly as described and easily held all 10 of us. We all had hot water in our showers too which was a bit of a surprise considering the age of the home! The setup of everything was perfect for a larger crowd. The stove took a tiny bit of getting used to when we cooked but using a vintage stove in a historic home is part of the fun. Would definitely recommend if you’re interested in history! We were comfortable and learned a lot.The host was incredibly easy to work with and kind. He answered all of our questions promptly and even helped us understand the layout of the house ahead of time so we could plan out who stayed in which room.

My family was in town for a wedding we all came from different place and got to stay togther in this beautiful home. The home and property is like stepping back in time. So much history on one property! I highly recommend staying here! highly.reccomsnt sta

Although I was born and raised in Rhode Island, I settled in Texas in 1996 and raised my family there. I was able to bring my fiancé, 5 of my children, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and 2 grandchildren on a Rhode Island adventure and wanted to find a place that would accent the trip. I struck gold in choosing the Fenner House! The home transported my family and me back to the 17th and 18th century and each one of us loved the experience! The home was tidy, the rates were very fair, and the colonial interior design was amazing! By the time we packed up to leave, there was a sense sadness we all felt. We made lifelong memories that spanned generations and we wished we could stay longer. There is not a thing I would change and no a single improvement I could recommend. Kudos and thank you to the owners of the Major Thomas Fenner House! I highly recommend a stay to any family looking for a great New England experience!

The Fenner House is an absolutely wonderful, comfortable, and fascinating place. It is beautifully decorated in colonial furnishings that reflect its place in history. It smells so lovely, like aged wood and autumn by the hearth – a scent that should be pirated by Yankee Candle. The living room is a great place to relax and contemplate the architecture or life in general. The dining room makes one feel that Paul Revere is going to stop in for a bite. The kitchen is well-appointed with plenty of storage space for your Pop-Tarts and everything one might need to prepare a fabulous meal. The bedrooms are cozy with comfortable beds, great furnishings, and room for all your petticoats, puffy shirts, and wigs. The bathrooms seamlessly blend style with modern creature comforts and feel spa-like. The washer and dryer ensure you will have clean duds after avoiding sharks* at the beach. The AC units keep you cool and comfortable in the heat of summer.There are also nooks and crannies everywhere that would make an English muffin jealous. The outdoor space is lovely – perfect for relaxing and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful landscape.Above all, it’s the history of the house that’s the icing on the cake. You must do the self-guided tour. And if, like me, you have a tween you like to annoy, give your kids a quiz at the end. My son was able to chat with his grandfather about floor joists, sleeping rooms, window panes, governors, Oliver Cromwell, and Native Americans with gusto. We sat in the living room, gazing around, imagining what it was like to live here. And before all the modern conveniences were installed that we take for granted today. Cranston is an easy drive to Boston, Newport, Providence, and Cape Code. Mr. Fenner was a pleasure to work with and answered all questions in a timely manner. *We didn’t know Cape Cod = seal (and therefore great white shark) hot-spot. How exciting to spot a purple shark flag after pahking the cah, and enjoy the show of seals all day. There was a shark sighting at our location. A man was swimming well past where the seals were cruising along and refused the lifeguard’s repeated pleas that he return to shallower waters. Lucky for him he did not get chomped. Cue lesson to the children about whether or not certain individuals improve the gene pool. My favorite feature of all? Once home I ordered myself my own tricorn hat. We could all use a little more colonial spirit these days.